Closure system for children&#39;s footwear

ABSTRACT

A closure system for footwear is provided. The footwear has an outsole, an upper defining a tongue opening, and a closure assembly configured to selectively close the tongue opening. The closure assembly includes an elastic connector, a closure panel, and one or more stretchable faux laces. The elastic connector is anchored to the upper or the outsole inside the article of footwear. The closure panel bridges the tongue opening and has first and second ends; the first end is attached to the elastic connector and disposed within the upper and the second end is disposed outside the upper and releasably affixed to the upper. The faux lace is joined to the upper and the closure panel. The elastic connector is disposed within the upper and hidden from view from an exterior of the footwear when worn by a wearer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to footwear and, more particularly, to a closure system for an article of footwear.

Shoes are often secured to the foot in one of two ways -by tying shoelaces or by hook and loop straps. Shoes with laces have long been known and provide a simple way to tighten and secure a shoe to a wearer's foot. Shoelaces typically take time to adjust to the desirable tightness and then tie, and can be difficult for a wearer to manipulate, especially if the wearer is a child, arthritic, or otherwise unable to bend easily to reach and tie the laces. Children, especially young children, are typically unable to tie their own shoelaces, and tying the small shoelaces of children's shoes may prove challenging for the larger fingers of an adult.

Hook and loop closure systems, such as Velcro® straps, provide quick and easy securement for such shoes. Although hook and loop straps are quick and easy to use, they suffer from a number of disadvantages. For example, hook and loop straps may unintentionally detach when a force is exerted by the foot within the shoe that exceeds the bonding force of the hook and loop material. Further, for many consumers, hook and loop strap fastening systems lack the aesthetic appearance and appeal of shoes with shoelaces.

With both conventional laces and conventional hook and loop straps, it can be easy to overtighten or under-tighten a shoe, particularly when a parent is closing the shoe for a child and cannot feel firsthand the tightness of the shoe. On the one hand, an overtightened closure can make the shoe uncomfortable for the wearer and the shoe may become more and more uncomfortable over time. On the other hand, an under-tightened shoe can fit loosely, which may be uncomfortable, may not provide the desired support and could result in the shoe coming off when not desired.

Accordingly, there remains a need for an improved closure for an article of footwear which does not require the manipulation of shoelaces to secure the footwear to the foot, but which maintains the appearance of laced shoes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A stretchable closure system for an article of footwear is provided. In one embodiment, the closure system is integrated into an article of footwear having an upper joined to a sole. The upper includes a tongue opening and the closure system is configured to selectively close the tongue opening. The closure system includes a closure panel that extends across the tongue opening and an elastic connector that secures the closure panel to the upper or the sole at a location remote from the tongue opening. The elastic connector is hidden within the upper and is of sufficient length to give the closure system a substantial amount of flexible and resilient stretch. The closure panel includes faux laces and covers the region of the tongue opening that would normally include the laces.

In one embodiment, the elastic connector has first and second ends, and the first end is fixedly joined to the upper or the sole. The closure panel also has first end second ends, and the first end is joined to the second end of the elastic connector. The second end of the closure panel is free and is releasably affixed to the upper. In such embodiments, the upper may further include one or more stretchable faux laces. The faux laces have a first end joined to the upper and a second end joined to the closure panel. The closure panel bridges the tongue opening, and the first end of the closure panel is positioned beneath the upper. Given this arrangement, the elastic connector is not visible from an exterior of the footwear when worn by a wearer.

In one embodiment, the upper includes a liner (or lining material) extending along an inner surface of the upper. At least a portion of the elastic connector is positioned behind the liner where it is hidden from view. The liner is made of a soft and supple material to provide a comfortable interface to the wearer's foot.

In another embodiment, the upper includes a trim piece extending around a portion of the tongue opening. In one embodiment, the closure panel includes a corresponding trim piece that is configured to align with the upper trim piece when the closure panel is closed. When the free end of the closure panel is attached to the upper, the upper trim piece and the closure panel trim piece align to provide the appearance of a unitary trim piece.

In a further embodiment, the upper trim piece is a generally U-shaped faux eyestay, and the closure panel trim piece is configured to match in appearance with a portion of the faux eyestay. The faux eyestay may include multiple eyelet holes through the upper trim piece and the closure panel trim piece. The one or more faux laces extend between opposed eyelet holes.

In still another embodiment, the closure panel includes a pull tab formed at the free second end thereof. According to another embodiment, the closure panel is releasably affixed to the upper via a hook and loop closure element.

In one embodiment, the upper includes a tongue positioned beneath the tongue opening. The tongue includes a cooperating hook and loop closure element on an exterior surface thereof which is configured to engage the hook and loop closure element of the closure panel.

According to another embodiment, the upper defines a height measured between a lower periphery of the upper and the tongue opening. The height measurement is taken at a middle of a width of the adjacent elastic connector. The elastic connector also defines a length, measured between the ends of the connector. The length of the elastic connector can be about 50% to about 90% of the height of the upper.

In some embodiments, the elastic connector is not visible, when stretched or unstretched, from an exterior of the article of footwear when the article of footwear is worn. The elastic connector and the faux lace(s) are stretchable so that the upper can expand about the tongue opening when the elastic connector and the faux lace(s) are stretched. Additionally, the elastic connector is configured to snugly and elastically secure the wearer's foot within the footwear and to accommodate movement of the wearer's foot within the footwear, such as during a typical running or walking stride.

In another embodiment, the upper includes a lowermost peripheral allowance. A strobel board is joined with the peripheral allowance to close a bottom of the upper with a strobel construction. The first end of the elastic connector can be affixed within the upper by stitching the first end to either the peripheral allowance or the strobel board.

The stretchable closure system provides the appearance of a laced shoe, while also providing the ease of a Velcro® closure system and additional benefits. In one embodiment, the unique integration of a hidden elastic connector and hook and loop closure element, as well as stretchable faux laces, provides a combination of functionality and benefits not believed to be present in the prior art. The elastic connector is provided with sufficient length to allow the closure system to have a substantial amount of resilient stretch, thereby giving the shoe upper flexibility and improved comfort. In some embodiments, the elastic connector can be disposed behind a liner that provides a comfortable interface for the wearer's foot and facilitates stretching without rubbing against the wearer's foot. In some embodiments, aligned trim pieces on the upper and the closure panel can be used to further enhance the appearance of the footwear as being a traditionally laced shoe with an eyestay surrounding the tongue opening, as is often typical in adult footwear. In those embodiments in which the connected end of the closure panel is disposed within the upper, the faux laces can be affixed on one end to the closure panel and at the other end to the eyestay on the upper to further enhance appearance.

These and other advantages and features of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the description of the current embodiments and the drawings.

Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of operation or to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention may be implemented in various other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in alternative ways not expressly disclosed herein. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may be used in the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed as limiting the invention to any specific order or number of components. Nor should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from the scope of the invention any additional steps or components that might be combined with or into the enumerated steps or components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an article of children's footwear incorporating a stretchable closure system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the footwear with the closure system in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the footwear with a tongue pulled forward for viewing an interior of the footwear;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the footwear, illustrating a user manipulating the closure system;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the footwear with the closure system in a closed position;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the footwear taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a detail view of the cross-section of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the footwear taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENTS

An article of children's footwear in accordance with a current embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1-9 and generally designated 10. The article of footwear 10 generally includes an upper 12 joined with a sole 14. The upper 12 and the sole 14 together define a foot void 16 (FIG. 6) configured to securely and comfortably hold a human foot. The foot is received through a foot opening 18 defined by the upper 12. A stretchable closure system 50 is integrated into the article of footwear 10 to secure the article of footwear 10 on the wearer's foot. The closure system 50, also referred to as closure assembly, includes a closure panel 54, an elastic connector 52, and at least one faux lace 64 in the illustrated embodiment.

Although the embodiments are illustrated in the context of a children's athletic, leisure or play shoe, it may be incorporated into other adolescent or adult shoes, and any type or style of footwear, including shoes, boots and sandals. It should be noted that directional terms, such as “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “inwardly,” “outer” and “outwardly,” are used to assist in describing the invention based on the orientation of the embodiments shown in the illustrations. Further, the terms “medial,” “lateral” and “longitudinal” are used in the manner commonly used in connection with footwear. For example, when used in referring to a side of the shoe, the term “medial” refers to the inward side (i.e. the side facing the other shoe) and “lateral” refers to the opposite, outward side. When used in referring to a direction, the term “longitudinal direction” refers to a direction generally extending along the length of the shoe between toe and heel, and the term “lateral direction” refers to a direction generally extending across the width of the shoe between the medial and lateral sides of the shoe. The use of directional terms should not be interpreted to limit the invention to any specific orientations.

In addition, when a component, part, or layer is referred to as being “joined with,” “on,” “engaged with,” “adhered to,” “secured to,” “affixed to,” or “coupled to” another component, part, or layer, it may be directly joined with, on, engaged with, adhered to, secured to, affixed to, or coupled to the other component, part, or layer, or any number of intervening components, parts, or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly joined with,” “directly on,” “directly engaged with,” “directly adhered to,” “directly secured to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between components, layers and parts should be interpreted in a like manner, such as “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent” and similar words. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

As noted above, the present invention is described in the context of an article of footwear 10, which generally includes an upper 12, a sole 14 and a closure system 50. In this embodiment, the upper 12 and the sole 14 are joined to cooperatively form a generally conventional foot-receiving opening. To facilitate fitting and removal from a wearer's foot, the upper 12 of this embodiment defines a tongue opening 38, which can be selectively opened and closed by the closure system 50. In use, the closure system 50 can be opened to make it easier to insert and remove the wearer's foot from the footwear 10 and closed to secure the footwear 10 on the wearer's foot. The upper 12 and the sole 14 of the illustrated embodiment are merely exemplary and the present invention may be incorporated into a wide range of alternative footwear constructions with essentially any type of upper and essentially and type of sole. The upper 12 and the sole 14 each have a corresponding forefoot region 22, a midfoot region 24, and a heel region 26, denoted in FIG. 5. To facilitate disclosure, the thickness of and spacing between various components of the closure system 50 has been exaggerated in the sectional views of FIGS. 6-8.

The upper 12 of the illustrated embodiment includes an exterior surface having a curved contour, the upper 12 formed from one or more layers of material that are shaped to form an enclosure roughly the size and shape of a wearer's foot, defining the foot void 16 (FIG. 6). The upper 12 may be of essentially any footwear upper construction. For purposes of disclosure, the present invention is described in the context of a unitary upper that may include various material elements that may be structural/functional or merely aesthetic. The material elements can be selected based on the intended uses of the article of footwear 10, and can include synthetic textiles, mesh textiles, polymers or leather, for example. In other embodiments, the upper may be formed of conventional footwear elements, such as a vamp, quarter panels, and heel counter.

The upper 12 generally defines first and second sides 34, 36, which correspond to medial and lateral sides in the illustrated example. The illustrated upper 12 defines a foot opening 18 through which the wearer's foot is inserted to don the article of footwear 10 and in which the leg/ankle is disposed while the article of footwear 10 is being worn. The upper 12 of this embodiment defines a tongue opening 38 that opens into the foot opening 18. In this embodiment, a tongue 32 is joined to the upper 12 at the forward-most end of the tongue opening 38. The tongue 32 is configured to extend rearwardly toward the foot opening 18 filing the tongue opening 38. In this embodiment, the tongue 32 is wider than the tongue opening 38 with its lateral and medial edges disposed beneath the upper 12 on the lateral and medial sides of the tongue opening 38. As with the upper 12, the tongue 32 may be manufactured from any number and combination of pieces. For example, the tongue 32 may be padded to comfort the wearer's foot beneath the closure system 50. The various pieces of the upper 12 may be manufactured from any of a wide range of materials, such as leather, synthetic leather, mesh, canvas, textile (e.g. woven, knit, bonded), fabric and molded components.

The upper 12 may include various trim, cushioning, and reinforcing elements. For example, the upper 12 may include a heel counter, which may be a generally conventional heel counter configured to provide control and stability to the wearer's heel. As another example, a toe cap may be provided to reinforce the forefoot portion of the upper 12. Foxing and other trim or extra material may be added to the upper 12 as desired for functional or aesthetic reasons. Further, reinforcing elements may be affixed to the upper 12 to reinforce the portions of the upper 12. The interior of the upper 12, may be covered by a lining material, such as a layer of DriLex, Cambrelle or other lining materials. The lining material may be a single layer of material or it may be a laminated combination of a plurality of materials. For example, the lining material may include integrated padding throughout or in select regions, such as around the ankle and the foot opening 18. As noted above, the construction of the illustrated upper 12 is merely exemplary, and the present invention may be incorporated into footwear that includes essentially any upper construction.

For purposes of disclosure, the present invention is described in the context of an article of footwear 10 having a generally sole 14. The upper 12, may, however, be combined with any type or style of sole construction capable of being suitably joined with the upper 12. Generally speaking, the sole 14 provides protection for the wearer's sole, while also providing flexibility for a range of foot movements. The footwear 10 may include an outsole and one or more layers of midsole, but greater or fewer elements can be included in other embodiments. For example, some embodiments can include only an outsole and a midsole, while other embodiments can include an outsole, a midsole, and an insole. Still other embodiments can include a unit sole, in which the midsole and the outsole are combined into a unitary element.

Referring to FIGS. 2-3, the upper 12 includes a stretchable closure system 50 or closure assembly configured to snugly secure a wearer's foot within the foot void 16. In this embodiment, the closure system 50 extends across the tongue opening 38 and can be used to selectively open or close the tongue opening 38. The closure system 50 includes the elastic connector 52, the closure panel 54, and one or more faux laces 64. The elastic connector 52 can be stretched and defines first and second ends 56, 58, and the closure panel 54 is substantially unstretchable and defines first and second ends 60, 62. The first end 56 of the elastic connector 52 is anchored to either the upper 12 or to the sole 14. In one embodiment, the first end 56 is joined to the first side 34 of the upper 12 adjacent a lower periphery 90 of the upper 12. In other embodiments, the first end 56 could be joined to the upper 12 at a distance generally mid-way between the lower periphery and the uppermost edge of the upper 12. The elastic connector 52 and the closure panel 54 can be joined together, for example end-to-end. The second end 62 of the closure panel 54 is free and can be releasably securable to the upper 12, for example to the second side 36 of the upper 12. The second end 62 of the closure panel 54 may be releasably securable to the upper 12 by a mating releasable fastener 74, such as hook and loop closure elements (for example, Velcro® fasteners), a buckle, snaps, magnets, a friction device, or any other suitable device capable of temporarily fastening one footwear component to another. Cooperating halves of the releasable fastener 74 are located on closure panel second end 62 and the upper 12.

The closure system 50 of the illustrated embodiment also includes stretchable faux laces 64. In the illustrated example, the closure system includes three faux laces 64, however, more or fewer laces are contemplated. Each faux lace 64 defines first and second ends 66, 68. The first end 66 is joined to the upper 12, and the second end 68 is joined to the closure panel 54 near the second end 62 of the closure panel 54. The faux laces 64 provide the aesthetic appearance of a traditional laced shoe closure, and are functional in that they are stretchable, as will be described in greater detail below. As described herein, the laces are referred to as “faux” laces because they are not functional in the same manner as shoelaces that are tightened and tied in the traditional sense. The laces of the illustrated embodiment do not cross and weave back and forth and cannot be pulled tight and tied to tighten the upper against the wearer's foot. However, it is possible, in alternative embodiments, to have laces that are tied and/or that can be tightened. Where two or more faux laces or lace segments are used, the faux laces or lace segments can be arranged in an “X”, for example, and where three or more faux laces are used, the faux laces can be arranged in any number of configurations. It should be noted that the faux laces can be manufactured from essentially any suitably elastic material, such as a flat or round elastic stock material, or can alternately be a more traditional shoe lace that is woven, braided or otherwise formed from a length of resilient, elastic material. For example, the faux laces may be manufactured by braiding an elastic material with cotton or a blend of cotton and silk.

Referring to FIG. 3, the upper 12 includes an internal liner 70 disposed on an inner surface thereof. The liner 70 is positioned interior to the elastic connector 52 such that at least a portion of the elastic connector 52 is disposed behind the liner 70 (between the liner 70 and the upper 12). The liner 70 can extend any desired longitudinal length of the upper 12 providing that it covers at least the width of the elastic connector 52. Further, the liner 70 can be affixed to the upper 12 by stitching, adhesive, or any other suitable means. The liner 70 can be affixed to the upper 12 along the sides of the elastic connector 52, and optionally along its lower edge 70 a, to form a sort of pocket in which the elastic connector 52 is disposed. Of note, the upper edge 70 b of the liner 70 is free such that the elastic connector 52 is free to stretch beyond the liner 70. The liner 70 is made of a soft and supple material to provide a comfortable interface to the wearer's foot and to prevent the foot from feeling the stretch of the elastic connector 52 during normal wear. The liner 70 provides a comfortable interface for the wearer's foot and facilitates stretching without rubbing against the wearer's foot.

In the illustrated embodiment, the closure system 50 is arranged such that the closure panel 54 bridges the tongue opening 38. The closure panel 54 is positioned with the first end 60 disposed beneath (interior to) the upper 12 such that the elastic connector 52, including the second end 58 of the elastic connector 52, is not visible from outside the footwear 10 when worn by a wearer. In this embodiment, the elastic connector 52, the upper edge of the first side 34 (aka one edge of the tongue opening 38), and the closure panel 54 are arranged relative to one another so that even when the elastic connector 52 is stretched during normal wear, the elastic connector 52 remains hidden from view. Of course, this is assuming a normal range of stretch and not abuse of the footwear 10 or pulling the closure system 50 beyond the intended alignment of cooperating components. It is not strictly necessary that the elastic remain hidden at all times. In some alternative embodiments, the components may be arranged so that the elastic is not visible when the closure system 50 is not stretched, but becomes visible with some material amount of stretch.

In the illustrated embodiment, the upper 12 and the closure system 50 have been configured to give the aesthetic appearance of a laced shoe. The upper 12 of this embodiment includes an upper trim piece 80 extending around a portion of the tongue opening 38. The upper trim piece 80 extends around the u-shaped perimeter of the tongue opening 38 and may or may not include a lower portion that extends laterally across the upper 12 at the lower end of the tongue opening 38. A closure panel trim piece 80 b is affixed to the second end 62 of the closure panel 54. The upper and closure panel trim pieces 80 and 80 b are aligned to provide the appearance of a unitary trim piece when the closure panel 54 is affixed to the upper 12. The trim pieces are formed of or cut from the same material to provide the desired unitary appearance, and may be made of leather, synthetic leather, mesh, canvas, textile (e.g. woven, knit, bonded), fabric and molded components.

As illustrated in the drawings, the illustrated upper trim piece 80 is a faux eyestay (“faux” in the sense that it appears to be an eyestay receiving conventional laces, though it is not). The upper trim piece 80 and the closure panel trim piece 80 b define opposed set(s) of aligned eyelet holes 82. As shown, the faux laces 64 extend between the opposed eyelet holes 82. Further, the ends of the faux laces 64 can be secured to the trim piece 80 or upper 12 with stitches, adhesive, or any other suitable method. The eyelet holes 82 can be simple holes through the trim pieces 80, 80 b or can be in the form of a metal, composite, and/or plastic eyelet or collar that provides a bounded hole through the trim piece.

In the illustrated embodiment, the closure panel 54 includes a pull tab 86. The pull tab 86 of the illustrated embodiment is integral with the closure panel 54 and is positioned at the free second end 62 of the closure panel 54. The pull tab 86 can provide the user a larger area to grasp to more easily manipulate the closure panel 54. In the illustrated embodiment, the pull tab 86 is integral with the closure panel trim piece 80 b and can be the same material as the upper trim piece 80 to provide the desired aesthetic appearance. The pull tab 86 can include a hook and loop closure element 74 to removably join the tab and the closure panel 54 to the upper 12. For example, mating hook and loop closure pieces can be affixed to the undersurface of the closure panel, including the pull tab 86, and the interfacing surface of the upper 12. The portions of the closure panel 54 and upper 12 covered with hook and loop closure material may vary from application to application.

In one exemplary embodiment, the lower surface of the closure panel 54 includes one side of the hook and loop closure element 74. The hook and loop closure element 74 may be positioned beneath the pull tab 86 and beneath the closure panel trim piece 80 b. The second, cooperating side of the hook and loop closure element 74 may be positioned on the upper 12 in a region 88 that is substantially the same shape as the closure panel trim piece 80 b and pull tab 86. The closure panel trim piece 80 b and the pull tab 86 may be slightly oversized with respect to the hook and loop closure element 74 in the region 88 so that the closure element is hidden from view. Optionally, an exterior surface of the tongue 32 can also include a cooperating side of the hook and loop closure element 74 to engage the hook and loop closure element 74 on the lower surface of the closure panel 54. In use, this may help to retain the tongue 32 in the desired position. The coordinating portions of hook and loop closure element 74 are configured to releasably engage with each other to secure the closure panel 54 to the upper 12 when the coordinating portions are pressed together. Of course, to release the hook and loop closure element 74, the closure panel 54 is pulled away, using the pull tab 86, from upper 12.

As noted above, the closure panel 54 is secured to the article of footwear 10 by the elastic connector 52. In this embodiment, the elastic connector 52 is provided with sufficient length to allow the closure system 50 to have a substantial amount of resilient stretch, thereby giving the shoe upper flexibility and improved comfort. The elastic connector 52 can be sized relative to the upper 12 so that it remains hidden from view even when stretched, yet provides as much stretch as feasible. For example, referring to FIG. 8, the upper 12 defines a height H between a lower periphery 90 thereof and the tongue opening 38. This stated height H is measured at the middle of the width of the elastic connector 52. The elastic connector 52 also defines a length L; the length L is measured between the lower periphery 90 and the point where the elastic connector 52 passes behind the closure panel 54 and is no longer visible from the exterior. The length L of the elastic connector 52 may be varied relative to the height H of the upper 12 to control the elasticity and resiliency of the closure system 50, as well as to vary when the elastic connector 52 might become visible from outside the footwear 10 during use. In the illustrated embodiment, the length L of the elastic connector 52 may be about 70%-80% of the height H of the upper 12, or the length L of the elastic connector 52 may be in the range of about 50% to about 90% of the height H of the upper 12. The length L of the elastic connector 52 may vary outside these ranges in applications where the elasticity and resiliency characteristics of the elastic connector 52 vary. Utilizing an elastic connector 52 that is as long as feasible for the design of the footwear can provide increased stretch relative to a shorter elastic connector. The upper edge of the upper 12 and the closure panel 54 are designed and arranged so that even when the elastic connector 52 is stretched during normal wear, the elastic connector 52 remains hidden from view. In this manner, the elastic connector 52 is able to provide increased stretch, while still remaining hidden from view when stretched.

The closure system 50 is operable between a closed position (FIG. 1), securing the wearer's foot within the footwear, and an open position (FIGS. 2-4) where the closure panel 54 is opened up to allow the wearer's foot to be placed in the void 16. To move the closure system 50 to the open position to don the article of footwear 10, the wearer can grasp the pull tab 86 and separate the closure panel 54 from the upper 12. The upper 12 can be expanded about the tongue opening 38 and the tongue 32 pulled forward to more easily insert the foot. The wearer can then secure the closure panel 54 over the foot by engaging the corresponding hook and loop closure elements 74, thus moving the closure system 50 to the closed position. The elastic connector 52 and the stretchable faux laces 64 together enable the upper 12 to expand and the closure system 50 to stretch even when closed to conform to and accommodate movement of a foot within the footwear, such as during a typical running or walking stride. The faux laces 64, connected between the fixed upper 12 and the movable closure panel 54, do not restrict stretching of the elastic connector 52, as they would in this configuration if the laces were not stretchable. In this embodiment, the elastic connector 52 is not visible, when stretched or unstretched, from an exterior of the article of footwear 10 when worn by a wearer. Additionally, the faux laces 64 give the appearance of a laced shoe, while also providing the ease of a Velcro® closure system. The alignment of the trim pieces 80 and 80 b further enhances the appearance of the footwear being a traditionally laced shoe with an eyestay surrounding the tongue opening. As such, the hidden elastic connector and hook and loop closure element, as well as the faux laces, give the illustrated article of footwear 10 the functionality and benefits of a hook and loop closure with elastic stretch while still providing the desired look of a traditionally laced adult shoe.

Referring to FIG. 6, in one embodiment, the elastic connector 52 is anchored to the upper 12 at the lower periphery 90 of the upper 12. In the illustrated example, the upper 12 includes a lowermost peripheral allowance, which generally terminates at the bottom of the upper 12. A Strobel board 92 is joined with the lowermost peripheral allowance to close the upper bottom using a Strobel construction. The first end 56 of the elastic connector 52 can be sewn to either the lowermost peripheral allowance, or to the Strobel board 92, either in the same Strobel stitching operation, or with a separate stitch. The liner 70 may be stitched to the upper 12 in the same manner. Of course, other suitable stitching styles and other attachment methods are also contemplated herein.

In the illustrated example, the closure system 50 is shown with the free end on the lateral side of the article of footwear. However, it is to be understood that the closure system 50 may be flipped so that the free end is on the medial side of the article of footwear.

The above description is that of current embodiments of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. This disclosure is presented for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive description of all embodiments of the invention or to limit the scope of the claims to the specific elements illustrated or described in connection with these embodiments. For example, and without limitation, any individual element(s) of the described invention may be replaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similar functionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This includes, for example, presently known alternative elements, such as those that might be currently known to one skilled in the art, and alternative elements that may be developed in the future, such as those that one skilled in the art might, upon development, recognize as an alternative. Directional terms, such as “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “inwardly,” “outer” and “outwardly,” are used to assist in describing the invention based on the orientation of the embodiments shown in the illustrations. The use of directional terms should not be interpreted to limit the invention to packages of any specific orientation(s). Further, the disclosed embodiments include a plurality of features that are described in concert and that might cooperatively provide a collection of benefits. The present invention is not limited to only those embodiments that include all of these features or that provide all of the stated benefits, except to the extent otherwise expressly set forth in the issued claims. Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular. Any reference to claim elements as “at least one of X, Y and Z” is meant to include any one of X, Y or Z individually, and any combination of X, Y and Z, for example, X, Y, Z; X, Y; X, Z; and Y, Z. 

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. An article of footwear comprising: a sole; an upper joined to the sole, the upper defining a tongue opening; and a closure assembly configured to selectively close the tongue opening, the closure assembly having a closure panel, an elastic connector, and at least one stretchable faux lace, the closure panel bridging the tongue opening, the closure panel having a first end disposed inside the upper on a first side of the tongue opening and a second end disposed outside the upper on a second side of the tongue opening, the closure panel joined to at least one of the upper or the sole by the elastic connector, the elastic connector disposed inside the upper where hidden from view from an exterior of the article of footwear when worn by a wearer, the closure panel releasably affixed to the upper on the second side of the tongue opening, the at least one faux lace having a first end joined to the upper and a second end joined to the closure panel.
 2. The article of footwear of claim 1 wherein the upper includes a liner disposed along an inner surface, at least a portion of the elastic connector disposed behind the liner.
 3. The article of footwear of claim 1 further including an upper trim piece extending around a portion of the tongue opening and a closure panel trim piece affixed to the second end of the closure panel; and wherein when the second end of the closure panel is affixed to the upper, the upper trim piece and the closure panel trim piece align to provide an appearance of a unitary trim piece.
 4. The article of footwear of claim 3 wherein the upper trim piece is a faux eyestay, the faux eyestay including a plurality of eyelet holes through the upper trim piece and the closure panel trim piece, the at least one faux lace extending between opposed eyelet holes.
 5. The article of footwear of claim 4 wherein the closure panel includes a pull tab formed at the second end thereof.
 6. The article of footwear of claim 4 wherein the closure panel is removably joined to the upper via a hook and loop closure element.
 7. The article of footwear of claim 6 further including a tongue positioned beneath the tongue opening, the tongue including a cooperating hook and loop closure element on an exterior surface thereof and configured to engage the hook and loop closure element of the closure panel.
 8. The article of footwear of claim 1 wherein the upper defines a height between a lower periphery thereof and the tongue opening, the height measured at a middle of a width of the elastic connector; and the elastic connector defines a length, wherein the length of the elastic connector is about 50% to about 90% of the height of the upper.
 9. An article of footwear comprising: an outsole; an upper joined to the outsole, the upper defining a void configured to receive a foot of a wearer; and a closure assembly having an elastic connector and a closure panel, the elastic connector having first and second ends, the elastic connector first end anchored to one of the upper and the outsole, the closure panel having first end second ends, the closure panel first end disposed inside the upper, the closure panel second end disposed outside the upper and releasably affixed to the upper, wherein the elastic connector is hidden from view from an exterior of the article of footwear when the article of footwear is worn, and the elastic connector is configured to stretch to fit the wearer's foot and to stretch in response to movement of the wearer's foot.
 10. The article of footwear of claim 9 comprising a liner disposed on an inner surface of the upper, at least a portion of the elastic connector disposed behind the liner.
 11. The article of footwear of claim 9 wherein the closure assembly includes at least one stretchable faux lace having a first end joined to the upper and a second end joined to the closure panel.
 12. The article of footwear of claim 11 further including: an upper trim piece extending around a portion of a tongue opening defined in the upper; and a closure panel trim piece affixed to the second end of the closure panel; and a plurality of eyelet holes through the upper trim piece and the closure panel trim piece, wherein when the second end of the closure panel is affixed to the upper, the upper trim piece and the closure panel trim piece align to provide an appearance of a unitary trim piece, and the at least one faux lace extends between opposed eyelet holes.
 13. The article of footwear of claim 12 wherein the second end of the closure panel includes a pull tab.
 14. The article of footwear of claim 13 wherein the closure panel is removably joined to the upper via a hook and loop closure element.
 15. The article of footwear of claim 14 comprising a tongue positioned beneath the tongue opening, the tongue including a cooperating hook and loop closure element on an exterior surface thereof and configured to engage the hook and loop closure element of the closure panel.
 16. An article of footwear comprising: an outsole; an upper joined to the outsole; and a closure assembly comprising: an elastic connector having first and second ends, the first end fixedly joined to one of a lower periphery of the upper and the outsole; a closure panel having first end second ends, the first end joined to the elastic connector, the second end releasably affixed to the upper; and at least one faux lace having a first end joined to the upper and a second end joined to the closure panel; wherein the closure panel extends laterally across the upper, the first end of the closure panel disposed inside the upper and the second end of the closure panel disposed outside the upper, wherein the elastic connector and the at least one faux lace are stretchable such that the upper can expand when the elastic connector and the at least one faux lace are stretched, and the elastic connector is hidden from view, when stretched or unstretched, from an exterior of the article of footwear when worn by a wearer.
 17. The article of footwear of claim 16 wherein the upper includes a liner disposed along an inner surface and at least a portion of the elastic connector is disposed behind the liner.
 18. The article of footwear of claim 16 wherein the upper has a lowermost peripheral allowance, and a strobel board is joined with the peripheral allowance to close a bottom of the upper with a strobel construction, wherein the first end of the elastic connector is stitched to at least one of the peripheral allowance and the strobel board.
 19. The article of footwear of claim 18 wherein the closure panel is releasably affixed to the upper via a hook and loop closure element.
 20. The article of footwear of claim 19 comprising a tongue positioned beneath a tongue opening, the tongue includes a cooperating hook and loop closure element on an exterior surface thereof configured to engage the hook and loop closure element of the closure panel. 